Starburst

Look left, look right, and skip the
Second glance to take the chance
At the rare opening between one moving

Mass of metal, wires, glass, and fuel,
And the other behind it.

I look with you;
Left, right, and I take that
Second glance as you take the chance but

I can’t see the oncoming
Mass of metal, wires, glass, and fuel;

My eyes blink as if they know.
I can’t see it but dear god
I feel it from my shoulder to my chest.

In front of us is a mangled
Mass of metal, wires, glass, and blood.

You are crying and I see the
Blood coming from your hair and running
Past your tears as you

Bawl out my name between your
Screams of apology and frantic calls
To our home, only two roads away.

I am forced to sit in a heated
Patrol car, while you are forced to
Have your head wrapped in gauze.

I gaze out the glass and watch you,
My eyes tear when you scream for me
To dear god forgive you.

I glance out the glass and see your
Mass of metal, wires, glass, fuel, and blood.

The windshield has a starburst of
Red in front of your seat.
In front of mine is the indent of another car.

I can’t see it but dear god
I feel the seatbelt from my shoulder to my chest,
Without the glass I could have burst.

I have never seen you cry before,
My big brother, my protector,
And it hurts to hear you scream for me.

You wanted me to school on time.